After years in the Australian sun, a TJ soft top fades, the windows cloud over and the seams start to let water in. The good news is that you usually don't need a whole new soft top system. If your factory frame and hardware are in good condition, a replacement fabric top brings it back for much less.
This guide covers what to check before you buy, how to choose a fabric, and tips for a good fit.
Check your hardware first
A replacement top fits onto the factory soft top hardware, so the hardware has to be there and in good order. Before ordering, check:
- The bows that hold the top up. They should be straight, with no cracks or broken pivots.
- The windscreen header where the front of the top attaches.
- The tailgate bar and its channel at the rear.
- The door surrounds and their retaining channels along the top of the body.
- The upper door frames, if your Jeep has half doors with soft uppers.
Missing or damaged hardware needs to be sorted first. A new top won't sit properly on a bent bow or a broken channel.
Choosing a fabric
- Denim vinyl is the original material used on the TJ. It's a medium-weight, two-ply fabric with a denim-look grain, and it's the choice for a factory look.
- Sailcloth is a premium woven fabric with a smooth, more upmarket finish.
We stock Sierra Offroad replacement tops for the 1996 to 2006 TJ in Black Denim, Black Sailcloth and Spice Denim, all with tinted windows.
Don't forget the upper doors
If your Jeep has soft upper doors, they'll usually be as faded as the old top. A new top next to old doors looks mismatched, so it's worth replacing both at once. We stock Sierra Offroad upper door skins in six colours to match.
Tips for fitting
- Fit it on a warm day. The fabric is more flexible when it's warm, which makes it easier to stretch into place. Leaving the new top out in the sun for a while before fitting helps.
- Clean the channels and tracks the top slides into before you start.
- Don't force the zips. If a zip is hard to close, adjust the top so there's less tension on it rather than forcing it.
- Expect it to settle. A new top can look tight at first and relaxes over the first weeks of use.
Looking after the windows
Clear vinyl windows scratch and cloud easily. Wash them with plenty of water first to lift grit, use a soft cloth, and avoid household glass cleaners. Don't fold or roll the windows while they're dirty, as trapped dirt scratches them.
Questions before you order?
Send us your rego or VIN or call 0421 163 823 and we'll confirm the right top for your Jeep. See all our TJ soft tops and upper doors.